| Farmland | 3315 North Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64116-0005 |
| www.farmland.com | (816) 459-6000 Fax: (816) 459-6979 |
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Beyond beef
The self-proclaimed "largest farmer-owned cooperative in North America," Farmland Industries, Inc. dabbles in a spectrum of products and services. These include crop production, feed and animal health, petroleum, grain marketing, and the processing and marketing of pork and beef. An expansive company, Farmland Industries Inc. does business in all 50 states and in more than 90 countries. Over 600,00 independent family farmers own Farmland's 1,700 local cooperatives. Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Farmland Industries is also a money maker: 1998 sales came close to the $9 billion mark.
History of the farm
In 1926, six farmer-owned cooperatives linked forces to become the Union Oil Company, a buyer and distributor of petroleum. By the middle of the century, the company had expanded into various sectors, including agriculture. It gained a reputation for listening to farmers' needs, such as the request for more produce-protecting chemicals like herbicides and insecticides. By 1979, the company whose name had changed to Farmland was one of the country's strongest and most influential cooperatives. Presently, Farmland considers itself a "farm-to-table" company. In other words, it stays involved in every step of food production, from processing and marketing to quality-control.
Porky
In 1998, to support pork producers who were facing the lowest hog prices in 40 years, Farmland announced that it would establish a "price floor" for the market hogs it purchases. With the sixth largest pork processing plant in the country, Farmland agreed to pay a base price for market hogs that meet its weight/quality specifications. Also in 1998, Farmland decided to incorporate a grain terminal in South America. The company hopes the move will help it maintain a competitive edge within the international market.
Moving
In one of the largest economic developments in 1998, Farmland decided to consolidate its Kansas City area offices - including its headquarters. A company spokesperson cites "convenience" and "cost efficiency" as reasons behind the conflation.
Let's hold hands
A lover of partnership, Farmland forged an alliance with the food-giant ConAgra in 1998; it also absorbed the agricultural cooperative SF Services. In 1999 Farmland decided to combine its grain operations with those of Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives, but the final vote regarding the merger, which had been postponed until 2000 due to "downturns" in the agriculture industry, did not garner the required votes from Cenex members. The two companies pledge to continue talks, and still hope to merge in the future. Also in 1999, Farmland established a pork production system called Triumph Pork Group Llc. With the system, Farmland joins a partnership consisting of The Hanor Co. (Spring Green, WI) and Pork Technologies (Ames, IA).
The farmer on the web
Farmland began selling products online in 2000, and is instituting a new software system to handle its e-commerce. The online selling business is expected to take off in the next few years.
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You can apply for positions at Farmland in several different ways. On the employment section of the company Web site, or www.farmland.com/employ/index.html, the company lists available openings. You may submit your resume online using Farmland's "Resume Builder" service. Using this same service, you can also submit a resume without applying for a specific job opening. All resumes, however submitted, are kept in a company database for four months in case of future openings.
Farmland also posts employment opportunities via its JOBLINE, 816-459-5056 or 800-822-8263 ext. 5056. The positions listed on the JOBLINE are updated weekly. To apply, send your resume and a cover letter; be sure to cite the requisition number of the specific position. Questions regarding employment can be faxed to 816-459-5954, emailed to careers@farmland.com, or mailed to Farmland Industries, Inc.; Human Resources Division - Employment Department; 3315 North Farmland Trafficway; P.O. Box 7305, Dept 16A; Kansas City, Missouri 64116-0005.
Insiders are reassuring and upbeat about both the company and its hiring practices. Says one source, "I believe Farmland usually advertises positions in newspapers. I don't think there's anything stressful about the interview process. Since we are in the agriculture business, I'd say most of our people are pretty much the 'down to earth' types. Another HR contact adds, "when I hire someone it is generally because I have a good overall impression, and not because of the specific answers they give. It is more of an art than a science for me. I think the interviews go how the interviewer wants them to go."
While "hiring happens in many different ways - including on-campus recruitment," insiders conclude that "the majority of people are recruited through referrals." Unfortunately, there isn't a job for every applicant - qualified or not. "If you are looking for a career in agriculture," opines a source, "you probably know that because the commodity prices are so low, all agricultural companies have slowed their hiring. I think Farmland is doing the same."
But fresh-out-of-school and contactless applicants need not lose hope. "We get into that old story of 'you don't have any experience so we cannot hire you,'" observes one resourceful informant. "Don't believe that! By attending and graduating from college, you have proven that you will complete a job; and no amount of training or school work will prepare you for every job-related situation. Employers are looking for people who have basic skills and the ability to adapt." He continues, "Don't dread the interviewing process. Be yourself, relax, and enjoy the trip!"
Farmland also offers internships to students. Check the Web site for details and application information.
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In praise of Farmland
Farmland insiders praise their company's "very diverse culture," which involves "many areas of industry." While one laments that "the pay is never enough," she agrees that it is still "very competitive with similar positions at other companies." Meanwhile, "work hours and perks vary by area and the type of job that needs to get done." There are, though, some unifying aspects to the company. "Farmland has over 80 joint ventures," one source comments. "Having an agricultural background, Farmland is probably more laid back than some companies, but all employees are expected to put in extra effort and work extra hard when needed." As far as dress code goes, sources say "business casual is the norm."
Not everyone looks the same
"I believe you will find a lot of women and minorities working at all levels in the Farmland system," observes a Vault Reports insider. "Kansas City has a very diverse culture," another comments. "Farmland has taken a proactive stand on minorities. I myself am a minority and I have felt that Farmland goes out of their way to accommodate my needs." Still another reflects, "I feel Farmland is doing quite well in giving management roles to women so that they will have the experience to take those positions in the future."
While "Farmland is growing, and becoming more heavily involved in the output side of agriculture, meat, and grain processing," the high quality of the employees remains static. Concludes a contact, "In our daily activities we work with many talented people. Everyone is quick to help others achieve their job goals."
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Human Resources
(800) 822-8263, ext. 5056
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Feed;Fertilizer;Refined fuels;Beef and Poultry;Livestock production systems;Petroleum;Grain
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Archers Daniels Midland;Cargill;Cenex Harvest States;ConAgra
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